Multicolored single luminescent tube system



E. J. KRAL March 24, 1953 Filed Dec. 29, 1949 Patented Mar. 24, 1953 MULTICOLORED SINGLE LUMINESOENT TUBE SYSTEM I Ernest J. Kral, Cleveland, Ohio Application December 29, 194$, Serial No. 135,713

3' Claims. (01. 315-408) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in the luminescent tubes and their commercial employment in the field of illumination, commercial advertising, etc.

It has been known in experimental physics that the color glow of an electrical discharge through rarified gas or gases in an exhausted plucker tube can be varied under different electrical and physical conditions.

The color glow may be changed by the following methods (a) changing the pressure within the tube, (1')) using intermittent electrical discharge through the tube in one instance, using an oscillating electrical discharge in another instance, (d) using a variable voltage of the oscillating discharge through the tube, (e) using a variable frequency of the oscillating discharge through the tube, (f) using any one mentioned condition at a time, followed consecutivel'y at intermittent intervals by the other methods or in any set order; or using two or more methods simultaneously, (9) to further accentuate the color changes, prisms placed at advantageous points will reflect changing spectra due to the varying electrical and physical conditions in the tube. Some of these facts are stated in literature, others must be deducted by experiment.

To further clarify the foregoing paragraph the following example may be forwarded: Argon with an intermittent discharge in the tube displays a red glow, with an oscillating discharge the red glow changes to a blue color. Another experiment demonstrates that helium under the pressure of '7 to 8 mm. displays a bright yellow glow, if the pressure is reduced to from 1 to 2 mm. the tube emits a green light. I also can vary conditions in the tube by varying the E. M. F. of the oscillating discharge by changing the number of wire turns on. the secondary coil. of the induction coil. I also can vary the frequency of the oscillating discharge by varying the. capacity of the condenser and the secsignals or fields where varied light colors may be desired or required. In the sign business this system would eliminate a mass of tubes of single colors making the signs readable during the daytime. It would also permit a greater variety of colors to be displayed within a unit.

By referring to the drawings, the luminescent tube with rarified gas or gases is indicated at 2, provided with suitable electrodes I and a side extension 3. The tube is connected with one. or more tubes (one tube 6 is drawn for simplicity) generally called a solenoid pump tube, a long tube 6 surrounded by solenoid coil 5 with an enclosed plunger 8 sealed with a small amount of mercury I. The descent of the plunger is stopped by an inserted rubber stopper 9 which is bored with a hole leading to compression chamber indicated at H).

The induction coil at II has a sliding core l2 (cutting various numbers of turns of the secondary coil) moved by an off-set arm [3 pivoted on gear [4, geared to revolve shaft 26, and supported by support 21, which is driven by motor 24 through gear 25.

Numbers 35 and 36 refer to the current supply source, since the A. C. current is the common supply it is shown with a double step-down transformer indicated at I 9. The secondary coil ISA and I9B of the transformer being wound in opposite directions permitting the current to be rectified to somewhat continuous unidirectional D. C. current by rectifiers 20A and 203.

The current then passes through revolving off and on switches 28, 29, 30, 3|, 32, 33 and 34 at adjusted intervals activated by gear 25 and motor 24 whose current source is external.

The magnetic switch A2! completes the secondary circuit from the set-up transformer 48 wound the opposite way. The rectifiers 49 and 50 interrupt the high A. C. current by rectifying it, however there is a continual current although intermittent current passing through the tube from electrodes I and 51.

Intermittent current caused in the secondary circuits by the rectifiers 49 and 5a, rectifying A. G. current into direct which discharges intermittently from opposite electrodes 1 and 5!. The E. M. F. of the induction coil H is varied by a sliding core, cutting various numbers of turns of secondary coil moved by an off-set arm [3 pivoted on gear l4 fastened to revolving shaft 26. By changing the voltage of the oscillating discharge various electrical stresses occur within the tube effecting the ionization of the gas within. By automatically varying the length of the circuit of secondary system of the induction coil by means of a sliding contact 16 on coil t5.

; which is motivatedby off-set arm 13 on gear;

3 l4 being driven by motor 24 and shaft 26; and by varying the capacity of a variable condenser I! turned by revolving shaft [8, it is possible to vary the frequency of the oscillating discharge through the tube. I'his creates a new electrical condition in the tube. The A. C. transformer 23 is varied in voltage by collar 41, the off-set arm portion 43 is movably attached on the gear M by 42 and is driven by the gear M which is in turn driven by the spur gear 40 on the vertical shaft 26. This creates a new electrical condition in the tube. At times the solenoid pump 6 (or combination of such pumps and tubes) is activated and functions as follows: When current passes through coil it thrusts the metal plungers 8 and 8A forward, as a sealing element. As the plunger thrusts forward it decreases the length of tube thereby increasing the pressure within the tube line No. 2.

As reverse motion of the plunger is affected by current switch 52 which sends current into the solenoid coil 53, wound in opposite direction, which activates the plunger downward thereby increasing the length of the tube and decreasing the pressure within the tube 2. The compression chamber 10 permits the plunger to plunge forward without too much drag. More than one pump and tube may be connected to the system for mass action. This is the way the pressure is varied in the main line all in a unique enclosed system.

These various electrical discharges and pressure in the tube cause various colors with variuos gases such as neon, argon, helium, hydrogen or any other gas which will electrolize due to varied ionization.

I also place prisms, indicated at 31, of glass or plastic material, or any other transparent material, at effective locations along the tube system (such as dots over is in electrical signs) to effect pleasing changing spectra of gases under various conditions described focused upon a reflecting background.

While certain features of the present inven tion are more or less specifically described I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that gases, materials and finishes of several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a gas-tight tube containing rarified gas, said tube inclosing a movable plunger containing a magnetic material, said plunger positioned within the inclosing tube, the said plunger being moved by means of the gas pressure within the said inclosed member, a solenoid coil disposed around said tube and energized by means of an electrical direct current, said current supplied through a mechanically operated circuit, making and breaking off and on switches, said current produced from common alternating current source by means of a step-down transformer and rectifiers to produce an intermittent direct current, and the said current revised across said solenoid by the alternating contacting of said mechanically operated switches so as to produce a pressure increasing (or decreasing) movement of the said plunger by reason of the influence of the-magnetic attraction exerted by said solenoid depending upon the polarity of the electrical current energizing same. r I

2. A device as described in claim 1, a pair of electrodes inclosed within said tubes, said electrodes energized by a high voltage direct current produced by rectification of high voltage alternating current, said high voltage alternating current produced from common alternating current source by a step-up transformer, the potential of said high voltage alternating current applied to said electrodes varied intermittently and cyclically so as to oscillate by the effect of a sliding core secondary controlling the number of effective turns of the said core and the ratio of the said transformer, said sliding core controlled mechanically by an eccentric rod attached to a gear driven from said motor energized from an outside source, the frequency of said high voltage alternating current varied intermittently and cyclically by mechanical variation of the inductivity capacity values of an inductor capacity circuit, said inductivity varied by means of a sliding contact on its coil, said sliding contact activated by an off-set arm positioned on the eccentric rod driving said sliding core secondary, said capacity values varied by means of a variable means activated in a rotary manner by the said gear upon which said eccentric rod is mounted, said alternating transformer primary voltage varied by admitting the source current to same through variable resistance controlled by gear and rod connection to the said motor energized from the outside source, and the said high voltage alternating current controlled by the said lower potential direct current interrupted in its passage to said magnetic switch by said mechanically controlled interrupter switches.

3. A device as described in claim 2, said gaseous pressure Within said tube and said high voltage alternating current potential applied across electrodes within said tube, said high voltage alternating current frequency applied across electrodes within said tube, said high voltage alternating current frequency oscillations applied across electrodes within said tube varied intermittently and cyclically in controlled-sequence by the operation of said externally controlled motor controlling said sliding core inductance, said variable inductance-capacity circuit, said voltages across said step-up transformer primary for said high voltage alternating current, said mechanically operated interrupting switch controlling said reduced potential direct current which in turn energizes said solenoid about said tube, said magnetic switch and said variable inductance so that the gas pressure within the tube as well as the applied potential, frequency and oscillation density energizing the said gas causing various interrelated Values resulting in desired, predeterminable lighting and illuminating effects of the gas or gases ionized within the tube by the discharge of the electrical current of fluctuating characteristics through the same.

ERNEST J. KRAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

